ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the level of follicular fluid NO, VEGF and ET-1 in assessing IVF-ET outcome. Methods Totally 131 patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles were recruited. The level of follicular fluid NO was measured by chromatometry. The follicular fluid VEGF and ET-1 were measured by ELISA. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection day to determine ovarian volume and antral follicle count. Results The pregnancy rate was 37.40% (49/131). There were significantly increased level of follicular fluid NO, VEGF and decreased level of follicular fluid ET-1 in the pregnant group than those in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05). Total ovarian volume and antral follicle count on HCG injection day were significantly higher in the pregnant group than those in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05). The levels of follicular fluid NO and VEGF had positive correlations with the total ovarian volume and antral follicle count. However, the level of follicular fluid ET-1 had a negative correlation with the total ovarian volume and antral follicle count. Conclusions The high level of NO, VEGF and low level of ET-1 in follicular fluid are good predictors of ovarian blood flow and ovarian response in IVF-ET.